Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-06-17

FARM TALKS.

FARM TALKS.
state Records of Agricultural Expert
ments Wanted Pruning Fruit
Trccs-CultiN alton of Orchards, etc
IL is TO be regretted that the farmers
IN each State could not contribute every
YEAR "A volume of their actual ex-
periences, writes Ben: Perlev Poore, in
The american 'uuiUator. One of the
first Patent Ollice reports. much of
which was complied from information
furnished 10y practical husbandmen,
was really far more useful, in my
humble opinion. than the long scientific
dissertations from paid professors
which Mr.. Colman now gives us.
Arthur Young, one of the ablest agri-
cultural writers that ever lived, says:
"The publication of experiments really
made, faithfully related and sufficiently
authenticated. is of great and import
ant consequence to the public good
But the very reverse is the case with
these books, which are published under
the title of General Treatiscs and
Systems, comprehcnding more so Is.
articles Of culture, etc. than any one
man can exper mentally have 4
knowledge of. consisting of the most
heterogeneous parts, purloined out of
former books on the same subjects
without common knowledge to dis
cover the good from the bad II has
been said several times, and with very
great just ce. that what we want is Il
book of experiments. If any practical,
intelligent husbandman, who occup ed
a farm. would only keep an exact
register of all his business, such q
collection would form, as far a it ex-
tended, complete set of experiments.
What we have are the authors reilec-
tons, instead of that which enabled
him to reflect. and from which we
might draw very different conclusions.
The experiment is truth itself; the
authors conclusions matter of opinion,
which We may either agree to or reject
according to our private notions
1t was formerly customary to prune
fruit trees in March or April, but COM
petent authority has recommended that
this work be omitted unit May, when
the leaves are out, and by others still
further to postpone it until the last OF
June or beginning of July. Aga nst
March and April pruning it is urged
that the wood, where cut. is liable to
crack. through the influence of the dry
ing winds of those months, and being
unprotected by foliage. that the sap is
apt to exude and waste, and to corrodc
the lips of the wound; and that, at this
season. the efforts of nature to heal the
wounded parts are feeble. May prun-
ing has he objected to for the reas on
that a. at this time all the organs of the
plant are IN active operation. and the
growth more vigorous than in any
month OF the year, pruning cannot be
prejudicial The sap vessels are at
at this time full, and the sap pushing
with great force to the extremities;
and if the branches are materially
d minished the sap will force itself out
near where its flow has been stopped,
in numerous shoots. useless for fruit
and unsi ghtly TO the eve. Those who
have pruncd at this season can Judge
what force there is in these objections
Most OF our trees, and particularly
fruit trees, have two per DDS of growth
in season, the first principally ia
May or June. and the other towards
Autumn. Between these two periods
the growth is in manner quiescent
This is declared by many TO be the best
period for pruning, because the second
growth suilices to cover the lips of the
wound. or, when small, the wound it
self, W tn new wool and bark; and, in
the second. place, because the volume
and force of the sap are then so much
dim shed that few shoots or sprays
are thrown out. | have tried the diff
terent seasons. and am of the opin-
ION that the aforementioned time has a
decided preference. For three sue
ccssiye years ! have pruned my orch
ard after cutting an early crop of grass,
say the middle of July, and have wit
messed none of the evils which have
resulted from Autumn and Spring
pruning.
recommend TO the cautious orchard
isl to do as | have done; try the three
methods. and hold fast to thai which
does best. Experience is the best
school in which to gain instruction,
and it is the only school in VIII CHI most
OF us are willing to learn.
| will give but three rules in regard
TO the operat on of pruning an orchard,
and they Will be short ones.
Prune annually. If judiciously done,
none but small branches will b, requir-